Air conditioning system



Dec. 13, 1960 H. A. MGINTOSH r-:rAL

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed March 25, 1958 United States Patent AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Harold A. McIntosh, 517 Floral Park Terrace, South Pasadena, Calif., and James Wilson Stockton, 4420 Lakeside Drive, Burbank, Califi; said Stockton assignor This invention relates to cooling or heating systems,- and especially those for air conditioning, utilizing heat exchangers.

' This application is a continuation-in-part of a copending application filed in the names of Harold A. McIntosh and James W. Stockton,-Serial No. 484,392, filed January 27, 1955, and entitled Air Conditioning System, now abandoned.

In one form of air cooling systems, the air stream to be cooled is passed over or through a moist medium, whereby evaporation of water is effectedwith attendant absorption of heat. A major disadvantage resulting from the use of such a system is the relatively large increase in humidity of the cooled air passed into the space to be cooled. Often a musty odor is experienced, due to the presence of continuously wetted evaporator pads.

It is one of the objects of this invention to make it possible to cool the air in air conditioning systems without appreciably increasing the humidity of the cooled air entering the space to be cooled.

It is another object of this invention to provide a sys-v tem of this character that has a low initial and operating cost. This is brought about by the reduced power requirements, since the power is used mainly for moving air; the volume of air to be, moved is reduced, since the cooled air may be recirculated, by means of the heat exchanger, the incoming outside air exchanger exchanges heat with the cooler exhaust air and thus does not require additional energy as with a conventional heating or cooling system. Furthermore, the overall efficiency is high because the cooled air is utilized more eifectively in the heat exchange cycle for abstracting heat from the space to be cooled.

Similar advantages occur when the system is usedfor heating.

It is another object of this invention to provide a conditioner system of this character in which the relative air humidity can be maintained within desired limits.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention; For this purpose thereare shown a few forms in'the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. .These forms will now. be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an air cooling system embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view of a portion of. the heat-exchanger used in connection with h inven n;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken SPOnding to line 3+3 f 2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of the heat exchanger; and

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a modified system utilizing the principles of this invention.

In Fig. l the wall 1 serves to define a space 2 located to the left of the wall 1.

Air flows from space 2 through a filter 3 to the inlet of a blower 4 operated, for example, by an electric motor 5. The air stream passes through a conduit structure including an inlet conduit 6 and an outlet conduit 7 back to the space 2, all as indicated by the arrows.

The inlet conduit 6 has an inlet opening to a heat exchanger 8, and the outlet conduit 7 has an opening leading from the heat exchanger 8. The progress of the stream of air through the path just traced causes cooling of the stream of air by rapid absorption of heat from the stream. For this purpose, the heat exchanger 8 includes a layer or pad 9 of loosely matted metallic wool, such as of brass or stainless steel. Such material, exposed to an air stream, is capable of being quickly heated and cooled, because the exposed area of each element per unit of volume is quite great. The individual filamentary elements have for this purpose relatively small cross-sectional area.

As shown in the present instance, this material 9 (see Figs 2 and 3) is confined between the periphery of a cylinder 10 and a wire screen member 11, although other foraminous material could be used instead of this screen.

The heat exchanger 8 is rotatable by the aid of a shaft 12 operated by an electric motor 12a. This shaft 12 is coupled to a sleeve 13 attached to the inner, surfaces of the end walls 14 and 15. The casing or housing 16.

serves to enclose the heat exchanger 8, as well as an adjacent heat exchanger member hereinafter referred to.

The motor 12a operates to rotate the heat exchanger structure so as to cause relative movement between the material 9 and the inlet and outlet conduits 6 and 7. In this way, portions of the heat exchanger material through which the air stream passes are continuously and cyclically advanced between the outlet 7 and the inlet 6. The rate of rotation may be such, for example, that the movement of the material 9 is at the rate of about one foot per second. This rate is made such as to provide ample time for absorption of heat from the air stream passing through this portion of the heat exchanger 8.

The screen 11 serves to maintain the heat exchanging material in place and does not obstruct the passage of the air stream.

The rapid interchange of heat from the air stream to the material 9 is due to the small cross-sectional area of the filamentary material comprising the heat exchanger element.

The cooling effect is produced by preliminarily abstracting heat from the material 9 before it reaches a position to form a portion of the path for the air stream. For this purpose, use is made of another heat exchanger 17, which is entirely similar in structure to heat exchanger 8, and is mounted adjacent exchanger 9 on the same shaft 12, as indicated in Fig. 3. This heat ex- Changer is provided for the purpose of reducing the temperature of the material 9. Thus, for example, outside air can be taken through a filter 18 toan inlet conduit 19, where the outside air passes through a portion of the heat exchanger material 20, thence through a cooling device 21, and finally to an inlet conduit 22 connected to the heat exchanger 8. The cooler in the present instance is illustrated as of the evaporator type,

although other cooling systems could be used to increase the temperature. difierential between the first. stream of memes d air through conduits 6 and 7, and the second stream of air through conduit 22.

The air cooled stream flowing through the inlet 22 proceeds through the material 9 but at a place. angularly remote from the first air stream which passes through conduit elements 6 and '7. The outlet conduit 23 leads to a blower 24, also operated by the motor 5.

An important feature of the invention is the position and direction of the inlet and outlet openings. The distance between the centers of the openings of conduits 6 and 7, as well as of conduits 22 and 23 is less than the distance between the openings of conduits 6 and 23, and of conduits 7' and 22. Thus, the desired path of fiow through the matted heat exchanger material 9 is favored without the useofbaflles, barriers or other sealing means, since theflow will always take the path of least resistance. This path of least resistance in this instance corresponds to the relatively short paths between conduits 6 and. 7 or between conduits 22 and 23, as compared respectively with the relatively longer paths between conduits 6'and 23, or between conduits 7 and 22.

The passage of the cold air through the material 9 via conduits 22' and 23 servesmarkedly to reduce the temperature of this material. Accordingly, as the heat exchanger 8 is rotated in the direction of the arrows 25, the cold material serves to absorb heat from the first air stream. This absorption is facilitated by the fact that the direction of. relative. movement between the material 9 and the conduits6 and 7 is such that thecooled material reaches' the outlet opening of conduit 7 before it reaches the inletopening-6.v In this way there is a continued high temperature differential for the entire range of movement ofthe material 9-between. the outlet and inlet. openings. ofconduits. 7 and 6.

The same considerations apply to the relative direction of movement of the second air stream on the right-hand side of the heat exchanger 8. In this case, the material 9, previously warmed by transfer of heat to it from the first air stream, first approaches the outlet opening of conduit 23 before it reaches the inlet opening of conduit 22.

The air paths through materials 9, and 20 are along the air. streams can be set without using excess thiCkI16SS.0fl

the material.

The second heat exchanger. 17 is also moved in adirection opposite the direction of movement of the second air stream through the exchanger 17. The outside air taken in through the inlet 19 gives up some of its heat to the heat exchanger material 20, before the second air stream enters the cooler device 21.

The air passing through the wheel 8 via conduits 22 and 23 is still relatively cool, and is passed to the blower 24. From the blower 24 it passes to the inlet 26 through a portion of the material 20 and to the outlet 27, whence it passes to the'outside air. This stream serves to pick up heat from the material 20 before'it is passed through theconduit 27.

Provisions are made so that the blower 4'operates at a pressure diiferential somewhat higher than the blower 24. In this way, there is a further assurance that the stream of air through conduits 22 and 23 is prevented from passing into the stream of air through conduits 6 and 7. The somewhat higher differential may be obtained in any conventional way, as by appropriate adjustment of the speed ofthe blower 4, or by proper choice of blower characteristics. The system is reversible and can be utilizedfor heat- 1ng cooled air. In this event, the useful output is through the conduit 27; and-instead of cooler 21, a heater can be utilized.

A modified form of the heat exchanger is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4. The heat exchanger material 28 is in the form of an endless loop mounted by a flexible belt 29 passing over the holes 30.

In semi-arid localities, the simple system of Fig. 1 is sufficient to maintain the air in the space at a sufficiently low degree of humidity. In other types of climate it may be advisable to maintain the humidity of the air at a low value so as to-attainsubstantial efiiciency in the system.

Such a system is. shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5. In this figure, the heat exchangers 31 and .32 may be the same structure as heretofore described. Preferably mounted upon the same shaft is adehydrator structure 33, also shown diagrammatically. This dehydrator structure may be'inthe form of a.rotary wheel carrying an adsorbent material such as comminuted silica gel. Accordingly, movement of humid air through a portion of this'wheelcauses dehydration of the air stream.

One air streamv indicated by a single line 34, passes from an intake at the left-hand side through an evaporator cooler 35, thence. successively through portions of the heat exchangers 31' and 32. It absorbs heat from the heat exchanger31 for cooling this heat exchanger. The air stream leaving the heat exchanger 32 may be heated by an appropriate means such as a gas burner 36; the exhaust of which mingles with the air stream. The products of combustion and the air commingled therewith pass through a portion of the moving dehydrator 33 tothe exteriorspace. This heated, air stream serves to, carry oif accumulated moisturein the dehydrator 33 forrendering the dehydrator again capable of adsorbing moisture.

Another air stream 37 passes through a reactivated portion of the dehydrator. 33, and is cooled in succession by passing through cooled portions of the heat exchangers 31 and32. The. second air stream finally passes into.

of heat exchangers; each heat exchanger including a.

group of.elements madeof a. material that is capable of transferring heat and forming a continuous layer, said elements. having such cross-section as to facilitate their rapid cooling and heating, saId elements being loosely confined to provide air circulation between elements; apair of first conduit means respectively for the two exchangers, each conduit means serving to pass air to and from the respective exchanger, so that first air streams pass respectively at any instant through a portion of the associatedexchangers; a pair of second conduit means respectively for the two exchangers, each conduit means of said second pair serving to passair to and from the respective exchanger, so thatsecond airstreams pass respectively at any instant through another portion of the associated exchangers; means for moving each heat transfer layer lengthwise past the associated first and secondconduit means; each of said conduit means having an inlet and outlet into and out ofthe respective exchanger spaced lengthwise of the respective heat transfer layer for passing air through that portion of the. layer passing between the inlet and outlet; the second air stream of the first exchanger being interposed between the first and second air streams of the second heat: exchanger, and forming a continuation of said air streams of'the'second exchangerrandmeans for increasing the.

temperature differential between the outlet of the first air stream of the second exchanger, and the inlet of the second air stream of the first exchanger.

2. In a system of the character described: a plurality of heat exchangers; each heat exchanger including a group of elements made of a material that is capable of transferring heat and forming a continuous layer, said elements having such cross-section as to facilitate their rapid cooling and heating, said elements being loosely confined to provide air circulation between elements; a pair of first conduit means respectively for the two exchangers, each conduit means serving to pass air to and from the respective exchanger, so that first air streams pass respectively at any instant through a portion of the associated exchangers; a pair of second conduit means respectively for the two exchangers, each conduit means of said second pair serving to pass air to and from the respective exchanger, so that second airstreams pass respectively at any instant through another portion of the associated exchangers; means for moving each heat transfer layer lengthwise past the associated first and second conduit means; each of said conduit means having an inlet and outlet into and out of the respective exchanger spaced lengthwise of the respective heat transfer layer for passing air through that portion of the layer passing between the inlet and outlet; the second air stream of the first exchanger being interposed between the first and second air streams of the second heat exchanger, and forming a continuation of said air streams of the second exchanger; means for increasing the temperature differential between the outlet of the first air stream of the second heat exchanger, and the inlet of the second air stream of the first exchanger; a blower for the first air stream of the first exchanger; and a blower for the combined air streams of the second exchanger and the intermediate second air stream of the first exchanger.

3. In a heat exchanger system: a group of elements made of a material that is capable of transferring heat; said elements having such cross-section as to facilitate their rapid cooling and heating; said cross-section being small enough to permit the individual elements to mat in a relationship permitting fluid circulation past the elements, the group forming a continuous matted layer; means for moving said layer in a lengthwise direction; means defining a closed passageway within which said layer is moved; a first conduit having an inlet and outlet into and from said passageway spaced lengthwise of the layer for passing fluid through that portion of the layer that extends at any instant between the inlet and the outlet, as the layer is moved lengthwise, as well as for transmitting heat from the fluid to the elements; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet into and from said passageway spaced lengthwise of the layer for passing fluid through a second portion of the layer that extends at any instant between the second inlet and second outlet, as the layer is moved lengthwise; the length of said matted layer between said first and second portions of the layer being greater than the length of either of said portions; said passageway providing a continuous fluid flow circuit with respect to both inlets and outlets for the endless travel of said layer thereabout; and blower means for each conduit creating a greater pressure in the first conduit than in the second, said greater length of matted layer providing greater resistance to fluid flow therethrough than the lesser lengths thereof to minimize transfer of fluid between said two conduits, and the pressure differential between said conduits further facilitating the absorption of heat from the fluid in the first conduit without the introduction of substantial quantities of the fluid from the second conduit into the fluid in said first conduit.

4. In an evaporative cooling system, a group of-elements made of a material that is capable of transferring heat, said elements having such cross-section as to facilitate their rapid cooling and heating, said cross-section being small enough to permit the individual elements to mat in a relationship permitting air circulation past the elements, the group forming a continuous matted layer; means for moving said layer in a lengthwise direction; means defining a closed passageway within which said layer is moved; a first conduit having an inlet and outlet into and from said passage way spaced lengthwise of the.

layer for passing air through that portion of the layer that extends at any instant between the inlet and outlet, as the layer is moved lengthwise, as well as for transmitting heat from the air to the elements; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet into and from said passageway spaced lengthwise of the layer for passing air through a second portion of the layer that extends at any instant between the second inlet and second outlet, as the layer is .moved lengthwise, the length of said matted layer between said first and second portions of the layer being greater: than the length of either of said portions, said passageway providing a continuous air flow circuit with respect to both inlets and outlets for the endless travel of said layer thereabout; and blower means for each said conduit creating a greater pressure in the first conduit than in the second, said greater length of matted layer providing greater resistance to air flow therethrough than the lesser lengths thereof to minimize transfer of air between said two conduits, and the pressure differential between said conduits further facilitating the absorption of heat from the air in the first conduit without the introduction of substantial quantities of moisture into the air in said first conduit.

5. In a heat exchanger system: a group of elements made of a material that is capable of transferring heat; said elements having such cross-section as to facilitate their rapid cooling and heating; said cross-section being small enough to permit the individual elements to mat in a relationship permitting fluid circulation past the elements, the group forming a continuous matted layer; means for moving said layer in a lengthwise direction; means defining a closed passageway within which said layer is moved; a first conduit having an inlet and outlet into and from said passageway spaced lengthwise of the layer for passing fluid through that portion of the layer that extends at any instant between the inlet and the outlet, as the layer is moved lengthwise, as well as for transmitting heat from the fluid to the elements; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet into and from said passageway spaced lengthwise of the layer for passing fluid through a second portion of the layer that extends at any instant between the second inlet and second outlet, as the layer is moved lengthwise; the length of said matted layer between said first and second portions of the layer being greater than the length of either of said portions; said passageway providing a continuous fluid flow circuit with respect to both inlets and outlets for the endless travel of said layer thereabout; a cooler in said second conduit for cooling the fluid in said second conduit to absorb heat from said layer; and blower means for each conduit creating a greater pressure in the first conduit than in the second, said greater length of matted layer providing greater resistance to fluid flow therethrough than the lesser lengths thereof to minimize transfer of fluid between said two conduits, and the pressure differential between said conduits further facilitating the absorption of heat from the fluid in the first conduit by said cooler without the introduction of substantial quantities of the fluid from the second conduit into the fluid in said first conduit.

6. In an evaporative cooling system, a group of elements made of a material that is capable of transferring heat, said elements having such cross-section as to facilitate their rapid cooling and heating, said cross-section being small enough to permit the individual elements to mat in a relationship permitting air circulation past the elements, the group forming a continuous matted layer; means for moving said layer in a lengthwise direction; means defining a closed passageway within which said second conduit to absorb heat from said layer; and-blower layeris moved; a first conduit having an inlet and outlet into andfrom said passageway spaced lengthwise of the layerfor p'assin'g air'"throughthat portion of the layer that extends at any instant between the inlet and outlet, as the layer is movedlengthwise, as well as for transmitting heat from the air to the elements; a second conduit having asecond inlet and a second outlet into and from said passageway spaced lengthwise of the layer for passing air through a-second portion of the layer that extends at any instant between the secondinlet and second outlet, as the layer is moved lengthwise, the length of said matted 'layer between'said first'and second' portions of the'layerbeing greater than the length of either of said portions, said passageway providing a continuous air flow circuit with respect to both inlets and outlets for the endless travel of said layer thereabout; an evaporating cooler in said'second conduit for cooling the air in said means for each said conduit creating a greater pressure inthe first conduit than in the second, said greater leng'th of matted layer providing greater resistance to airflow therethrough than the lesser lengths thereof to minimize transfer of air between said two conduits, and the pres sureditterential between said conduits'further facilitating the absorption of heat from the air in the first conduit by' said evaporativecooler without the introduction of substantial quantities of moisture into the air in said first conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

